Category — Kobe

Our daily thread.
If you don’t know what’s so relevant about Mr. Irrelevant then you need to ask somebody. In this case, we’ll point you to Gary Mihoces, who drops some knowledge about arguably the 2nd most popular pick of the NFL Draft.
USA Today
You say over, he says rated: Bucky Brooks offers his 5 overrated prospects heading into this week’s NFL Draft. Any surprise Ryan Tannehill is 1 of the 5? Didn’t think so.
NFL.com
Buyers’ remorse?: Some folks in Orlando believe the Magic missed an opportunity by not trading Dwight Howard for Andrew Bynum. Tell us again, which way is the wind blowing?
Orlando Sentinel
More trouble for Saints?: ESPN is wetting its pants with a report that GM Mickey Loomis, who already has been handed an 8-game suspension for Bounty Gate, used an electronic device at the Superdome to eavesdrop on opposing coaching staffs.
ESPN.com
Say goodbye to Brian Dawkins: The NFL safety is calling it quits after 16 seasons.
Denver Post
Hey, a writer who isn’t offended by kids smoking pot: We’re just following up on last week’s ESPN “exclusive,” about college football going to the dogs because some players smoke a joint or 2. Relax. Seriously, how many of you hypocrites are continuing to write this nonsense and play like you’re all offended?
CBS Sports
Players Club: The messy beef between Derek Fisher and the NBA players union continues with Chris Paul being mentioned as a possible successor. It’s interesting, though, that Maurice Evans, who plays with the Wizards and serves at the union VP, is playing defense attorney for Billy Hunter despite the latter having family members on the payroll, including a financial firm where he son works banking more than $500,000.
USA Today

Magic Johnson showed his true colors. On the set of ABC’s NBA show Sunday, Johnson told viewers how appalled he was by the actions of Metta World Peace (and Andrew Bynum last season in Dallas, where he took out J.J. Barea during the playoffs), then saying World Peace should only be suspended 2 games. Come again?
Members of the Oklahoman staff are saying Metta World Peace should be suspended “indefinitely.” They’re obviously showing their true colors. One says 10 games, meaning MWP wouldn’t be available for a possible 2nd-round matchup between the Lakers and the Thunder. Thunder beat writer Darnell Mayberry seems to the voice of reason, saying 5 games. We concur.
NewsOK.com

A week ago, I listened to an outrageous sports-talk radio host rage about the greed of Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen for barking about playing in the Olympics for free. Worst, the radio host started comparing playing in the Olympics as an honor of serving your country just like fighting in a war. Stupid doesn’t begin to describe the latter. There isn’t ANYTHING that compares to war.
Mark Cuban has vehemently complained about this issue before. He’s right. And if it were up to Cuban, NBA players wouldn’t even be in the games. We find nothing wrong with that either.
Corporate America, the networks, Nike and many others rake in millions for serving their country (cough, cough), but the NBA players are expected to give away their services for free?
ESPN Dallas

Laker fans wonder why the rest of the world hates their guts? A flop by James Harden? Seriously, some of you idiots need to get out more.
After the moron move by World Metta Peace, NBA fans were treated to an outstanding game between the Lakers and Thunder. Harden’s lost (and we sincerely hope his injury doesn’t force him to miss any playing time in the playoffs) clearly hurt the Thunder, but lost in that was the play of Jordan Hill, who came off the bench and spelled Andrew Bynum for 14 points and 15 boards. Without him, the Lakers lose big.
Mike Brown claimed he had a “gut” feeling Hill would play well. We’ll give him that much, but why did it take the beer-belly Brown so long to go with his “gut?”
Also, props to the Thunder, particularly Serge Ibaka, for at least coming to Harden’s defense. The Clip Joint could take a page out of their playbook.
ESPN LA

Lot of idiots in Staples today.
Metta World Peace didn’t take his medication today and Ron Ron came out.

How big is this? For starters, the Thunder can sweep the season series, but more importantly, they can keep pace with the Spurs for the top seed in the West.
For the Lakers, it’s a bigger deal. A loss and they could be looking up at the Clip Joint, which hosts the Hornets Sunday night. The Grizzlies, who have won 4 straight, also are lurking only a game back. They’re off Sunday, but host the Cavs on Monday night.
If the Lakers fall to the No. 5 spot and get the Grizzlies in the 1st round, we’re betting the farm Memphis prevails. The Clippers in the No. 4 spot is the ideal situation for Laker fans because Lob City isn’t as tough a customer as the Grizzlies.

Spurs 121, Lakers 97.
Kobe Bryant returned, but it made little difference as San Antonio pounded the Lakers for the 2nd time in 3 meetings.
The Clip Joint, which we can only assume is celebrating 420 day, is excited with the result. The loss left the Lakers, who visit the Thunder in a Sunday showdown, just 1/2 game ahead of the Clippers for the No. 3 spot.
ESPN LA

Or will they trade him and stick with Stan Van Gundy? Coaches rarely win battles with superstars, but considering the way the Magic’s management has poorly handled these matters, it might be foolish enough to deal Howard and keep Van Gundy.
SI.com

And so was Tony Parker, who torched the Lakers for 29 points and 13 assists in a 112-91 pounding tonight at Staples.
AP

Another gem, this 1 from Mark Cuban after the Lakers got a gift 3-pointer from Pau Gasol that Matt Barnes clearly guided into the basket during their OT win Sunday over the Mavs: “Yes Mavs fans I have already asked the NBA to make basket interference reviewable in last 2 minutes of game and in OT.”